Status of the Northern Bottlenose Whale, Hyperoodon ampullatus, in the Gully, Nova Scotia

A population of approximately 230 Northern Bottlenose Whales, Hyperoodon ampullatus, uses the Gully, a prominent submarine canyon on the edge of the Scotian Shelf. These animals use the Gully throughout the year. Approximately 57% of the population reside in a 20 km X 8 km core area at the entrance of the canyon at any time. The Gully animals seem to be largely or totally distinct from the population seen off northern Labrador: they are smaller and appear to breed at a different time of year. Threats to the population include commercial shipping, fishing and oil and gas developments. One oil and gas discretely of commercial interest, the Primrose Field, lies about 5 km from the core area of this population. The population is vulnerable because of its small size, location at the extreme southern limit of the species' range, and year-round dependence on a small and unique sea area. It is threatened by plans for the development of the oil and gas fields close to the Gully.